On the first day that local residents could file a declaration of candidacy for the May 5 primary, Wednesday’s biggest election news may be more about who is not running, rather than who is.
Just one week after completing a year as Bartholomew County commissioner chairman, Rick Flohr confirmed he will not seek re-election to a third term.
Although Flohr retired as co-owner of Product Engineering Co. (PECO) in 2014, he’s been back working for his company since last January. He said he has been maintaining second shift hours at PECO after completing his responsibilities as a commissioner and a farmer most days.
While saying he found his two terms as District 3 commissioner rewarding, Flohr — who will turn 70 this spring — said PECO gave him a golden opportunity to return to something he loves. By not seeking re-election, the Republican said he will also have more time to spend with his wife.
Two other Republicans have already filed to succeed the retiring commissioner. One is JoAnne Flohr, who is married to Rick Flohr’s cousin, while the other candidate is Tony London.
In the 2018 GOP primary, JoAnne Flohr came in second in a six-candidate race for District 59 state representative, coming in second only to the eventual winner, Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus.
As an independent in 2012, London challenged Rick Flohr when both men ran to succeed Republican Paul Franke on the county commissioners. In percentages, Flohr won that contest 58% to 42%. London is running as a Republican with this filing.
Two of the county’s longest-serving elected officials have filed their paperwork to seek another term.
District 1 Bartholomew County commissioner Larry Kleinhenz will be campaigning for an eighth consecutive term. Four years ago, Kleinhenz earned a narrow victory in a three-candidate GOP primary over Susan Thayer Fye and Jorge Morales. During the November 2016 general election, he was unopposed.
While Kleinhenz has enjoyed longevity as a commissioner, it’s not as long as the 40 years that Republican Evelyn Strietelmeier Pence has served on the Bartholomew County Council. On Wednesday, Pence filed the paperwork that will allow her to seek an 11th consecutive term as an at-large council member.
First-term incumbent Matt Miller and political newcomer Derick Olson, both Republicans, are also seeking at-large council seats.
Other GOP incumbents that officially filed for re-election on the first day include 59th District State Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, who represents a portion of Bartholomew County; Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting and Bartholomew County Surveyor E.R. Gray.
In Hope, Republican newcomer John Walstad filed to represent Ward 2 on the Hope Town Council. That seat is currently held by first-term Democrat Nellie Meek.
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Candidates have until noon on Feb. 7 to file their candidacies in the Voter Registration office, located on the first floor of the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
The primary is scheduled for May 5, while the general election will be on Nov. 3.
Voter registration for the primary ends April 6.
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